Reviews

This drama started out so promising. I loved the chemistry between the main couple. They were too cute for words for the first six -eight episodes. I loved the interaction and blooming romance. But the drama really went downhill after the halfway point. It turned into a melo melo, and not the cute noona romance I was first sold on. The heroine was so annoying and made one stupid mistake after another. It was like she was trying to sabotage the relationship by episode 12. The ending was just so unsatisfactory, with the last two episodes seriously depressing me. Overall, I liked half the show. Loved the cutie main lead. But would never watch this one again!

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I really can't write about this drama without mentioning the writers ''Park Sang Yeon'' & ''Kim Yeong Hyeon'' and the wonderful team who worked on it. As soon as I heard about this drama I was so excited, I did not care about the cast who'll be part of this big project, only those two names I mentioned earlier I knew I would be in for another incredible and memorable journey and I was right. Indeed it's as great, thrilling and passionate as Tree With Deep Roots and Queen Seon Deok both also written by these two writers, I consider them as the best Korean historical dramas I ever watched and of course SFD is third in the list for me.

It's not in my habits writing reviews for a Korean drama, actually it's the 2nd I write but this time I had to, because it was such an exciting and incredible experience. I want to always remember the emotions I went through while watching this drama, I really screamed, smiled and cried a lot (well did not cry that much but some scenes were so touching and lovely which had me in tears) I already feel very empty now we're already in the end. I'm wondering when I'll be able to watch and find such a gripping and fascinating long Korean period drama ?!

I started SFD while it was airing but I had to stop cause I knew waiting each week for only two more eps would be a pure torture for me, so this was only three weeks ago I decided to properly marathon it and aigoo those three weeks went way too quickly. This drama is simply addicting, once I finished an episode I felt the urge to watch the next one, it leaves you no choice but to go watch immediately what's coming.

Maybe now I should tell how this drama managed to captivate me like that and how every ep killed me, first reason is all those references from Queen Seon Deok and Tree With Deep Roots, and I bet all people who watched those two fantastic dramas are/were feeling the same, I was always so impressed and reminiscing about the quotes and characters of these dramas, simply yes I was speechless and always thinking those two scriptwriters are real geniuses to make me going crazy and happy like that. Secondly it's all those political intrigues, the way Sambong and Bang Won were portayed here, how they could manipulate people and control them the way they both did and most of all their ability to read in their opponent's minds, I admire both them for that. I love smart moves and political intrigues in dramas and this drama had all of that. And third reason is that I always wanted to watch a drama which would show how Joseon Dynasty was established and here it was so wonderfully explained and done.

When I think about all the cast I have no words because all actors were so into their characters and we could feel how much invested they were for this long historical drama, they delivered such a electrifying , sincere and wonderful performance, I literally fell in love with all of them, just maybe from my point of view I did not like Seo Yi Sook 's acting (Moo Hyeol's grandmother) it's very personal and I just did not find her very convincing, otherwise all other actors did so well, zero complaint about them simply the opposite, they were all phenomenal.
Of course first I have to comment about Yoo Ah In and Kim Myung Min's awesome's portraits, they were totally the characters they played ''Lee Bang Won'' and ''Jeong Do Jeon'', it did not feel like they were acting, it was simply really as if they were in front of me, like I was seeing each one of their every actions and moves.
Frankly speaking I'm not so fond of Kim M.M but I will never ever forget his flawless performance here, one word : grandiose. As for Yoo Ah In, his facial expressions, words, moves gave me goosebumps, he was too imposing and magnificent. I think I said enough about these two amazing actors, they would definitely not leave you indifferent.
It's hard for me to choose a favorite character cause I think the writers here wrote them so perfectly, there's no one I love more than the rest, well maybe Gil Tae Mi because he added so much fun to this dark and very tense atmosphere, he was so cool, skilled, sometimes stupid and hilarious even when he was about to kill some people, I just couldn't hate him ! Another one I liked a lot was Lee Bang Ji and I personally do think his character was so well written , I'm just a bit too sad he did not have (in my humble opinion) as much screen time as other dragons, in some scenes I was completely missing him and was wondering where he was and what he was doing, I love him because his care for his sister and his loved one was so sincere, beautiful and pure, he did not want to involve himself into politics and all what he did was only because of their dreams and ideals, he lives for them, that's how unselfish his love is for both of them, I can only admire him!
I would like to write some words about other dragons and characters however I think I already said too much, just I will say these things : Cheon Ho Jin as Lee Seong Gye did an awesome job, he never fails to surprise me, I don't know much about Lee Seong Gye and did not read anything about him except that I know he was the first king of Joseon and from what I saw here in SFD he really had a tragic and sad life.
Boon Yi I like her a lot and especially her relationship with her brother which is so beautiful genuine and filled with so much tenderness, I always have a thing in drama for brother/sister's bonding and in this one it was simply just so touching, I was always so happy when they were only together on screen, discussing, eating playing together. Boon Yi is a very caring, brave and smart girl, I really appreciate that she never gives up on her dreams and till the end she believes in it and simply wants to be happy with her family and people.
Moo Hyeol I love him so much in the first place ( eheheh TWDR yeah) so badass, unselfish, generous, strong and sweet at the same time, I always found his way of fighting so cute and funny but in the end he had to grow up and become mature, it was very painful to see and Yoon Gyun Sang did a really great job with his Moo Hyeol's portrayal. I also wanted to say I loved all these supporting characters as well especially Ha Ryun, Yoon Rang (very charismatic woman), Lee Bang Woo, Lee Ji Ran, Jo Joon, Gil Seon Mi and Hong Dae Hong and for sure the drama would be totally different without them <3

Needless to say the sceneries, settings, colors and costumes were so gorgeous, every costume fitted perfectly for each character, I particularly loved Boon Yi's dresses so simple and yet very eye-catching, suited her personality so well, I also loved her hairstyle <3 I would say the same for all other characters' costumes especially those Yoo Ah In, Byun Yo Han, Cheon Ho Jin, Gong Seung Yeon, Park Hyeok Kwon and many other wore, very colorful and elegant .
The Ost was really great and the ballads were always used in appropriate moments though there weren't to my taste, I loved BGM more and songs Muiiya and Cheongsanbyeolgog (I think it's the title) more. In any case the ost was wonderful so no complaints from me.


I'll end this review with those four fantastic quotes, I had shivers all over my body when those sentences were said.

-''The King is just this country's flower. The Roots have to be this land's scholars, confucian scholars and officials"
-''If you want to fool your enemy, you'd have to fool those around you including yourself''
-''How can betrayal be a sin ? In this turbulent times, believing someone is a bigger crime ''
-"Since the world began, the weak have always been stepped on by the strong. Even a thousand years ago, even a thousand years from now! The Strong steal from the Weak. In this world the only truth is that the strong take and swallow the weak ... this is only the constant truth"

I would probably rewatch this drama as it brought me so much feels since the very first second, Political dramas are generally too heavy for me but I always found Political Historical dramas to be to my liking as I've already seen many and I noticed the writers always manage to make them so interesting and appealing especially when the characters are so well written like it's the case here.
Highly recommended, it's the first time for me to watch such a long drama and to not feel the length, 50 eps of pure awesomeness and if you want my opinion I did not see the time passing.
Last but not least, this is one of the most intelligent dramas I watched and I would recommend for people who haven't wacthed Tree With Deep Roots nor Six Flying Dragons to start with SFD first and then watch DR.

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The potential was great! The beginning was great! The cast was superb! Did it keep being this way during the whole drama? Unfortunately, not. When I get to the point when I stop care, I usually drop the drama, and I think, I have more dropped dramas in my list then completed ones :) So why didn't I drop this one?

Reason 1. Jong Hyun Soo/ Dong Ha . The villian in this drama did outstanding job, this is the first time I followed specific character, witch is not the lead with such intencity!He actually was the one who kept my interest to this drama, and the only one who I really wanted to know more about! I just have no words. If he doesn't get an award, it will be final disapointment in SBS after they missed Lee Joon Gi last year!

Reason 2 The office team scenes. I truly enjoyed every single moment of them, they were hilarious and pleasure to watch! Great interaction and chemistry between all cast!

Reason 3 Ji Chang Wook and Choi Tae Joon - and I don't mean just looks, but acting :)

The rest.. I'll just say, starting from the middle of drama there were more and more moments, were I felt bored, except scenes with Jong Hyun Soo... And the worst for me was the last episode.. After great ep 37 and 38, two last ones were just.. well, I would't miss anything if I wouldn't watch them.. And it's a pity, because last episode is the one that leaves final impact from drama, and unfortunatly I felt nothing... But overall there were a lot of moments that I enjoyed, laughed and cared. And all the actors dida great job! It wasn't a bad drama, but it didn't left strong feelings in me...

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One of my favourite contemporary dramas

Rising With The Wind explicitly presents the reality in both the investment and manufacturing industries, and the unruliness that comes with it. It explores the conflict of interest that arises as two people with different nature collides, and also exhibits the difficulty of keeping business and personal life separately.
 
The script writing is compelling. I thoroughly found the dialogues refreshing, and the variety of flawed (or rather dynamic) characters make for a more interesting viewing. The plot knows its theme well and did not go astray into any unnecessary tropes. It gave perfect balance between the following genre: business, romance, and life. The business aspect was intriguing and got me emotionally invested throughout. I enjoyed the flirty banters that the leads had from the beginning, the friendship that they formed while being business partners, and ultimately their seamless progression into being in a relationship. I like the chemistry between the leads, but I had to admit that their relationship was not ideal given their career situation.
 
What I like most about this show was our heroine (Jiang Hu) and her resiliency. She’s smart, capable, passionate about her work, and true to what she believes in. She’s not someone who puts romance first. She sets her priorities straight and someone who could quickly come back up again after every obstacle. SHE’S A QUEEN!
 
The performance of the cast was exceptional. I had a bit of a prejudice with Gong Jun after watching him in The Love Equations. But this drama made me a big fan!  He nailed his acting as the ruthless investor from BaoXing, while on the other hand giving out the most loving expressions after falling in love with Jiang Hu. The portrayal of Chu Xi as Jiang Hu was also amazing -- her natural acting as a fallen heiress was perfect and made me sympathize with her character throughout.
 
I love the friendships that were interwoven with the main characters. These supporting characters were not just there to take up some of the screen time. You could see how they were used as emotional support in multiple ways. Not often do we see such healthy family/friendship/platonic relationships be presented in dramaland, so yes this is very much appreciated.
 
The production quality was above average, and the only problem I had with it (as always with the censorship) was how certain scenes had to be cut, which eventually resulted into awkward scene transitions.
 
Overall, this has been an addicting watch and 40 episodes seemed like nothing! I could see myself rewatching this again some time in the future.

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Just Watch It! (This is long).

This is my very first review, so please bare with me.

Story:
Regarding the story there were some plot holes here and there, and I feel like the running time of each episode was poorly used in many occasions, some added things felt unnecessary to the plot as a whole, and some things could've been explained in a better way.

Yes, the pacing...

I love a slow burn romance, the whole enemies-to-lovers trope, but watching this show week by week was actually painful, and not in a 'oh my God, what happens next?' kind of way. It was actually frustrating, and when I thought things were about to pick up, it slowed down completely.

Still, I have to say that I absolutely love the concept of "The Little Prince" involved in this story, and how he falls in love and ends up with the fox.

Acting / Cast:
Let me have my shallow moment...

The first time I saw anything about this series, what called my attention was how attractive both main leads were. They have different vibes, and I think they fit perfectly in what was presented, but the real question is, what about the often mentioned chemistry? Looks are not enough to measure weather there's chemistry between a pair or not.

Jin Yu Zhen is a complicated character, with unresolved and complex feelings, your seemingly stoic, heartless, asshole kind of character right there. I do think Aaron Lai nailed it, especially when we saw the transition of JYZ opening up little by little, showing his true colors.

Honorable mention to the last episode, I felt his desperation all the way through the screen.

Shi Lei is not only someone with that bright, beautiful, dimply smile, I like how he had a personality and how he wasn't afraid to stand his ground no matter what. Hank is a newbie as far as I know, and he did good, I like his acting.

Honorable mention to Shi Lei "coming out" to his mom, that scene was beautiful, and necessary.

So, in conclusion, they do have chemistry, a lot in my eyes, I liked to see how Shi Lei fell for JYZ little by little, how he had an "oh shit" moment, realizing he was caring a lot for him, and how Jin Yu Zhen reciprocated his feelings and cared for him just as much. They had a lot of cliche moments, but I didn't mind it at all. There was tension, and want and longing.

The second couple can be a big hit, or a big miss, sometimes they even steal the spotlight from the main couple, and this time I have to say they were cute and all, but I unfortunately didn't really care for them. There wasn't enough substance, I don't know how to put it better.

Yan Zhao Gang was a good guy, with good intentions and he mostly had some great things to say, the type of guy you go for advice, I like the actor playing him, and I don't think he's bad.

Wu Si Qi on the other hand, was the shy, young and inexperienced guy. Cute? Yes. Still, I don't know, but I cared even less for him, I felt detached. I don't blame it necessarily on the acting, but oh well.

The rest of the cast does the job, I found some of the meant-to-be-funny moments to be actually funny, and I liked their interactions.

Shi Lei's mom has to be mentioned, she was his wingman, the real MVP, a mother who cared for her son's happiness and well-being. It's refreshing to break from the stereotype of a mother who's disappointed, mad or angry, against the fact of her son/daughter being in love with someone of the same sex.

Music:
I love soundtracks, and I have to admit that the "I do, I do, I do" is catchy.

Rewatch Value:
I wouldn't mind re-watching the whole thing now that it ended, maybe it would feel different than watching week by week.

Overall:
I know this review is very mixed, I tried pointing the flaws, but also the good points of this series, at the end of the day all I can say is to each their own, don't let anyone else's opinions and thoughts stop you from watching something, do it, see it for yourself.

For me this series is worth watching, it's simple, it's cute, it's easy, and the end is refreshing.

Hope this helps.

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Underwhelming

Honestly cutting the show into 2 parts was so stupid to begin with. It messed up the flow and the narrative of the story. I found part 2 to be bland compared to the first part. The writing became weak and there was also lack of flow with the scenes. The flashbacks became repetitive, like i get showing the backstory and all but most of those didnt explain what was happening.

I felt that the characters were underused, there was potential but there was more time spent on useless plot lines. The way the show was wrapped was underwhelming like just ended in a odd place and it didnt feel like a ending at all. There were so many unanswered questions like goodness me...like whyyy. Like what the purpose of the people in white were. The hint at another season was off-putting. The acting and the music was the main reason that kept me going.

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DEATH'S GAME - A MUCH NEEDED PERSPECTIVE TO LIFE !

I still haven't processed this drama through and through and ig in the hope of being able to make the most out of it I am writing this review. To say that it's a MUST WATCH would be such an understatement because you'll sincerely be missing out so much.

I am not a webtoon reader so I didn't know what was in stock for me but to say that I am overwhelmed by the amount of emotions I felt in such a short span would be the most just way of saying I LOVED IT TO EVERY BIT!

I don't know what other people are feeling about it but to me most of it was unpredictable even tho I guessed the last episode correct it didn't really drag me away from the drama I give that to the acting because I don't really fan girl predictable stuff.

THE CAST - IS MAGIC ! to all the cameos, all the episodic narratives, to all the emotions that they bring out to the screen it just pure treat to every drama lover there is.

The perspective to every character was so beautifully done that it felt like I went through all the 12 lives and that I was just given a piece of their memory and told to live out the rest. I became an assailant, a victim, a survivor, a savior and most of it all I became a human!

I realized that meaning of life is not in being able to live as the wealthiest person or as anyone else but you. There's no one else like you and to think that you are the only one suffering and every other being seems to be having a fate that you would wish for, is the most useless thought to ever exist.

The narrative is so tightly packed that every death has a significant contribution to the story even the ones that seemingly exist in almost parallel worlds are connected to ease and perfection.

This drama does make you rethink about all you are and all you have, it makes you grateful and aware of the true miracles that god has given all of us!

I might have more to say about it later but for now I just hope whoever is reading this review does watch the drama and spares a minute to think about all the tiny miracles that surround.


my fav lines from the drama would be-

"A persons character is determined not by the belief they hold, but by the actions over the course of their lifetime ."

"As i disappeared from this world, my death remained behind with those who loved me . "

"Your sins will end up finding their way back to you so don't ever commit them ."

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Hwarang began at the top of my list for most anticipated drama. It boasted a star studded cast as well as the fact that it was pre-filmed which seemed to promise a quality show that would become "the next big hit". As it turns out, the drama became a pitiful case of lost potential.

The story was lacking, to say the least. It didn't seem as if there really was one sometimes to be honest. The episodes were mainly made up of small conflicts that didn't seem of much importance to the central story at all. Even the the climax of the main story was resolved rather anticlimactically in the last episode. I often found myself wondering what the heck happened after an episode, not because I was shocked by the events, but because nothing really did happen. The story trudged along at a horse and buggy speed and it seemed that our lead female Ah Ro was just along for the ride. She didn't seem to have any purpose in the story, but to give our leads some angsty tension (not that it was needed because they had enough of that on their own). The main couple had no chemistry whatsoever and I even found myself bored at their scenes. And lets not even begin talking about the plot holes. There were many and they were extremely noticeable.

The acting was mediocre. This is an average amongst this large cast; some were better than others. Going back to the issue with the main couple, I believe it wasn't totally the fault of the cast. Park Seo Joon had amazing chemistry in his last drama with Hwang Jung Eum and Go Ara did well in Reply 1994. While they are not exceptional actors, they have shown good acting skills, and even they could not salvage how stale the plot was. Minho's acting became a lot more natural though and Taehyung did well with his emotional scenes.

The OST itself is pretty good and some of the songs were actually quite memorable. I did notice though that the music editing was not very good throughout the entire drama. It cut off weirdly and some of the music didn't even fit the scene, which is disappointing coming from a show that was prefilmed and edited.

Overall, it was only slightly enjoyable to watch so I will not be rewatching. I would like to give some honorable mentions though to my otp Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon, Sung Dong Il the designated ahjussi of kdramas, and Park Hyung Sik's face (it's beautiful :')).

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Unexpected treat

I had my doubts about this show mainly cause of its premise/genre. It is very easy to butcher the plot and lose the audience. But I'm glad i watched it. The characters, plot and production is great. I was hooked from the first scene, having so many questions, nothing is simple. The characters have logic and smart in their own ways. Overall the execution has been great so far. It has been interesting and intriging with how everything is comes to play.

The acting is so good, the way they embodied their characters is unbelievable. The mains doing wonders, their chemistry is off the charts as well. It is pretty funny, which i didn't expect given the genre. Bai Jingting wonderful to watch on screen and I'm shocked by Zhao Jin Mai's acting. I knew she was good but damn every action and emotion regarding her character has been spot on. The supporting cast is great, everything done with precision. The story has some heart felt moments as well. The characters are realistic to an extent, with the way they view and react to the world. I like how almost every character story has been explored.

With every loop/reset something different happens that thickens the plot. Contantly left with so many questions after each episodes. Being more suspenseful than the previous episode. This utterly has me hooked and on the edge of my seat. The ending was nicely done but there were a few unanswered questions. Such as why they ended up in a loop. Other than that it was a really good watch. I like how they gave us a glimpse of their lives after this whole thing.

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The entire thing feels like just an interlude, if not an OC-filled fanfiction of the prosecutor series.
I mean, I liked all the individual investigating stories and the interactions with vampire-lady, and I loved Lee Joon and all the "good guys" cast and characters. But I was utterly indifferent to the main story. YuJin/San never appealed much to me --he had more chemistry with the mob-heir police officer lady tbh-- and TaeJun was a horrible character with horribly written issues.
Overall, we are left with too many questions and plot holes, especially in combination with Vampire Prosecutor 1 & 2. Especially San's vampirism was barely discussed or noted. Which just feels like cheating, considering the series' title.

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Healthy Relationships! Communication! (And... a fetish?)

What started out as a slightly weird and funny show ended up being really touching with an example of what a healthy relationship should be. I was incredibly surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this show, and encourage anyone who's curious about it to give it a chance.

Let's start with the characters. Natori is a man who can smell things really well, to the point where it is a little bit of a superpower. It helps him develop his relationship with Yaeshima in both obvious (how they met) and subtle (emotion-sensing) ways. Yaeshima has low-self-esteem, but while that would normally make me not want to watch the show (unfortunately women like this are often portrayed as pushovers or people without personalities), they actually portrayed it well in this show. She's got some trauma from being bullied as a child, and Natori and his fascination with Yaeshima's scent very much helps her feel a lot more comfortable in her own skin.

The side characters were very much just side characters, with none of them being fully fleshed out, but honestly I didn't feel too saddened by this, since by the time I realized this I was already invested in Natori and Yaeshima's relationship.

But honestly, my most favorite thing about this show is the communication! The show always makes sure to resolve the conflict of the episode in the same episode (with the exception of the penultimate episode) and there is rarely any miscommunication that isn't talked out in the very same episode. As a person who watches a lot of dramas, this was like a breath of fresh air. Miscommunication is often used as a trope and/or plot-device to create more drama, and quite frankly it's something I'm very tired of. To have these two flawed characters act like adults and talk about their problems in a healthy way just made my heart sing. Whoever is the screenwriter -- thank you!

If you can get past (or get used to) the sniffing bits, how often the female lead gets shown in a bra, and the unique, almost-metaphorical ways of portraying steamy scenes, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise with this show.

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Added to my favourite comedy, suspense and action-filled fantasy drama!

I have been eagerly waiting for the second season of this series ever since I accidently discovered this Masterpiece. I'm not into anime or Chinese comics but while searching for suspenseful, fantasy, comedy and mystery packed drama, I luckily stumbled upon this gem. I absolutely love the 1st season and the 2nd season has entered my top favourite drama list. Its definitely worth the watch! Highly recommended by me.


The storyline of the drama like S1 is super engaging, passionate, cohesive, entertaining, suspenseful and thrilling. It kept me on edge through out all of the episodes. The goal of solving the mystery and capturing CD became base plot of this season. S2 ensured that the new important characters had solid back grounds build up just like in S1. The story moved along with the action, suspense and comedy packed events, while unravelling the vital and mysterious back stories of new characters.

The story also highlights the differences between Real outsiders and the ones made by the soul refining furnace. Real outsiders experts are formidable and force to be reckoned with because being outsiders they have lead lives of suffering and they had to work extremely hard to master their techniques to its full potential. Unlike last season where mostly bad or good outsiders were the focus,  this season showed the behaviour, goals and intentions of NDT express headquarters. At certain times their motives seemed well intentioned yet tinged with hidden agendas. Their is subtle power/control struggle going on between   outsider world and NDT express leaders.

This season was as fast paced as S1, so it's very important to pay close attention to the details of the events, explanations, emotions showed by characters and implicit or explicit impact of actions of all characters in the past, present or future. As always the live action kept true to executing of iconic scenes from the comics seamlessly well. The fight scenes are among many important highlights of this series. They are beautifully choreographed and are super action packed at times touched with this series signature hilarious moments.

The actors have portrayed their characters immaculately well. Through impeccable acting they have conveyed their emotions, aims, qualities, relationships, attributes and thoughts extremely well. All characters are dynamic, they have contributed very well to move the story forward, provinding powerful insights and successfully ticking our curiosity related to their behaviour. Not forgetting to mention many outsiders are effortlessly funny in their own unique ways. Each outsider character displayed their super power really well. S2 has introduced many new characters with different personalities along with new types of powers like beast tamer, armorer, divine forge technique, poison technique, close combat techniques, magical weapons, summoning god powers/divine mask etc.

The outsider characters from S1 ZCL, FBB, WY, EZ and ZQ showed old and new sides to their personalities and demonstrated further character developments. More of their intriguing and impactful back ground stories were revealed. ZCL has always been clever, witty and bold. In this season he has become more insightful and is being very strategic. Everything he does is to help his best friend FBB. He finally  harnesses the old farmer technique his Grandfather passed down to him. FBB is as funny and mysterious as ever has become more adept at using her powers effectively and have even become a beginner at crafting magic weapons. She unconditionally trusts and relies on ZCL and follows his instructions/plans. WY uses his wisdom to protect and guide his friends while using his unique immensely powerful techniques to intervene in the fates of people posing threat to the peace of the world unintentionally or intentionally. He is willing to save the world even if he has to bear the consequences by himself for changing someone's fate. ZQ faced internal conflict when tempted with one of the eight supreme technique, the divine forge. However he successfully overcame it, learned Samadhi true fire and showed talent in divine crafts and helped ZCL when his help was crucially needed. EZ has always been resourceful, clever and humorous but this time she showcased her new capabilities in dire circumstances.

The new special agent outsider characters introduced are very funny and eccentric. WZQ is my new favourite he is mischievous, cunning and playful yet he works hard to master his techniques. He learns how to use his magic mask to its full potential by understanding righteous faith. XZZ is truly frightening person yet he has found salvation despite having psychopathic tendencies and works to stop others from crossing the bottom-line. LM is very kind-hearted and thoughtful person appears to be weak and helpless but has mastered his techniques evolving them with scientific research knowledge to make them more deadly. HGE gives rough and tough man impression at first but is very caring, loyal and soft hearted person as well. CD is most tragic character I have come across this series. She is the main focus of this season's plot. She is very kind-hearted and thoughtful person despite fate being cruel to her in every way. Her tragic story is very heart wrenching yet has heartwarming side to it too. She impacted many hearts and minds along her journey. She was born in circumstances she couldn't control but with the help of friends she was able to finally make some decisions and choices for herself.

MXH is a pitiful character too. He is caring and kind-hearted but stubborn, arrogant and ambitious person. He has good intentions but he is misguided and used by QT, who has altered his memories and is manipulating him to hatch an evil plan that could possible destroy the world. Just like FBB and CD has some parallels, ZCL and MXH has parallels too discovered by WY. Both are good people but their fates are influenced by someone, very deeply and dangerously.

The OSTs, CGI, cenimatrography and FX are mind blowing. They are placed appropriately in the drama suitable to the needs of the events. The sets and the environments shows a lot of effort put in to anhance its suitability, usefulness and impact to the related scenes. The scenes have their own unique features and design requirement. The costume styling is well throughout that adds details to characters, highlighting their unique personal attributes. Their clothing was not just about appearance but eminated their spiritual resemblance too. They have used more sophisticated equipments to enhance lighting and shadows and Cinematography of special moves the characters use. For example, WY's chaotic time shift technique was filmed in slow mo but this time MOCO was used to capture it perfectly. Even subtle conveyance of eye contact and micro-expressions were considered thoroughly to bring the characters to life, these expressions are unique to live action dramas. Also about actors deliverance of their martial arts styles and signature moves it really showed that they have practiced very hard to deliver them perfectly.

Finally, S2 has successfully built up the foundation story for the S3 leaving me deeply curious about what are ZCL's next moves and how will MXH break free of QT's control. What does QT intends to do and why? And it seems S3 will finally reveal FBB's complete past. Only bad point about S2 is that I wanted more episodes. Hopefully, S3 will have sufficient number of episodes. I will be waiting for S3, hopefully the original perfect cast will remain the same or it will be terrible tragedy to recast them all. 

I hope people watching it give it a fair chance and watch it till the end.

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Perfection

You Are My Fateful Love is a heartfelt romantic drama that explores how unexpected circumstances can bring two completely different people together. What begins as a relationship built on coincidence and obligation gradually transforms into something genuine and deeply emotional. The story does a good job of showing how love doesn’t always start perfectly, but can grow through patience, understanding, and shared experiences.

One of the strongest aspects of the drama is its character development. The female lead starts off as someone underestimated and overlooked, but over time she gains confidence and strength. Watching her growth feels rewarding and realistic. The male lead, on the other hand, begins as distant and emotionally guarded, but slowly becomes more open and caring. Their journey together feels natural, even with the misunderstandings and conflicts that arise along the way.

The drama also balances humor and emotion effectively. There are many lighthearted moments that make the story enjoyable, but it doesn’t shy away from serious themes like heartbreak, responsibility, and personal growth. This mix keeps the story engaging and relatable.

However, at times, the pacing can feel slightly slow, especially in the middle episodes where misunderstandings are repeated. Some plot developments may also feel predictable, especially for viewers familiar with similar romance tropes. Despite this, the emotional payoff towards the end makes it worth watching.

Overall, You Are My Fateful Love is a touching drama that highlights the idea that love can come from the most unexpected situations. It’s a story about growth, forgiveness, and the power of fate, making it a satisfying watch for fans of romantic dramas.

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An underrated series that serves as an inspiration to not just women but also life and ones' career

Realistic and Relatable : An underrated series that serves as an inspiration to not just women but also life and ones' career

The best drama that I've watched that truly has an exceptional female lead. Out of all the dramas I've encountered Shen Rouxin is definitely a character that can be an inspiration to not just women but also people striving hard in building their careers. In our society today in which ones' career depends on its success, one may face troubles such as stereotypes, discrimination or even racism in the work place. Every now and then, these situations hinder people's career and I find it admirable that this show has characters that have more depth and that show what really happens in the working industry.

Applause also for the actresses and actors who portrayed their characters well. Not to mention, the cinematography as well as the soundtracks used in the series that fits the theme of the series.

In addition to that, I also love how the main couple's relationship in the series is mature but also adorable. Shen Rou Xin and Qi Xiao talked their problems rather than having miscommunication troubles which is common in most teen / youth dramas. We also get to see the struggles of the other relationships that are portrayed in the show. Like for Song Zi Yan and Zou Cheng, we see the problems they have in their marriage and how they overcome it. We also get to see the insecurities of Su Yang and by accepting and learning from those insecurities, his relationship with You Si Jia had developed. What's more, I also commend the struggles of not just a mother but parents in general in the society - how parents have demands for their children and how these demands affect their child etc.

The Rational Life indeed is a series that gives us a unique taste for it portrays different relationships that are breaking the stereotypes that they have to face in the society while also staying true with their ideals and not minding what society says about their relationship.

Furthermore, the series also gives each characters a time to shine for we get to see their individuality and complexity (how each of them struggled with their insecurities and how each of them grew and develop as a person). Props to not just the main characters (Shen Rouxin and Qi Xiao) but also to the supporting characters Song Zi Yan, Zou Cheng, Su Yang, You Si Jia, Mother Shen and Mother Qi.

While the plot is slow burn and the romance between the main couple takes time to develop in the series, I find this to be appropriate for the highlight or focus of the series is not just the relationship but Life in general : People's career as well as issues in the modern society which can be an eyeopener to young people who haven't yet entered the working industry.

Some viewers may also claim that this show is too old fashioned and I personally and strongly disagree with this one. The reason for it is that first of all, the series shows what is really happening in the real world most especially the working environment. It gives a lesson to viewers that not everything in life, love and work is all about sunshines and rainbows. People striving to build their career may encounter problems and it is important to have a positive mindset about it . There are also the demands and expectations that people have. Not to mention, having a relationship or not even having a relationship can lead people to be prejudice towards others. Moreover, as a person who is still in my youth and who just recently started in building a career, I can definitely relate with the characters in the series for I have also encountered these complications which is why this series is definitely not old fashioned for it is Real and Raw and relays lessons that are useful especially for the youth.

While I also see that this show might be targeted for older viewers / audience, it actually entirely depends on the viewer's taste or perspective. Some youth may like it, others may not. That is why I won't be discouraging people in watching this. If you're interested in watching it then you might as well give this one a try. Don't let reviews or other people's perspective sway you in watching this for its a matter of choice.

In conclusion, The Rational Life is a series that is more of a melodrama than romance for it does not just gives Life lessons but also serves as a Revelation to viewers for it depicts Realistic situations that people face and reflect upon in the modern society.

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This is the best executed C-drama that I have watched in the last 2 1/2 years. The production values are excellent, with an excellent cast, director, film editor, scriptwriter, music supervisor, wardrobe supervisor, stage design supervisor, location supervisor and all the diligent crew members. The caterers might have been excellent as well.

Bai Yu is the best C-detective, Lou Fei, who is charismatic, upper class, and well-dressed, and he possesses a sharp intellect and an analytical mind. Una You as Xiao Man is the perfect assisting police detective, with fighting skills and a sharp mind to complement Lou Fei's. Jeffrey Ji as Ben Jie Ming is the very handsome and tall coroner with a sharp mind and excellent inter-communication skills. Captain Savoy is the perfect boss and team leader, who leads, supports and respects his staff members. Their loyalty to him is shown in the final episode, when the police officers stand with him, against the raging director of the municipality.

Acting: 9.5
Directing: 9
Casting 9
Editing 9
Music 10
Costumes 9
Sets 10
Script 8.5

This is the first Chinese drama that I am willing to rewatch. The 24-episode length and the tight scripts are perfect for viewers with a short attention span.

ATTENTION: This drama contains NONE of the following drama flaws to disrupt the viewer's concentration;

(a) flashback and repetitive flashback filler,
(b) story filler,
(c) useless flashbacking,
(d) pattern-mad or garish wardrobe,
(e) obtrusive loud singing and loud incidental music score overlapping the characters' dialogs and scenes.

Final episode comment; The ending is the beginning.
From the structure and pace of the cases, the ending was designed to continue in a second season. Bai Yu and Una You comprise the best detective team, Lou Fei and Qin Xiao Man, since Inspector Earl Lynley and Detective Havers, Sherlock and Watson, Morse and Lewis. If Detective L had been launched as a 50 episode drama, we would have been bombarded with fillers and flashbacks, loud, repetitive singing and draggy incidental music.

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